Heat help!!

[Godiva]

I'm planning on getting a bearded dragon from a friend who can not care for it. I've done my research about the temperatures and I figured what I do for my BP would be too low. Come to find out the BD is not in great shape. They live in PA and they didn't provide it enough heat so I am really wanting to get this poor boy home and get him warmed up. I don't even know how cold the tank is but if it's anything like her house then the poor thing has been freezing. I went to Petco and got all the essentials (a 55 gal tank (poor guy has been cooped up in a 20g), some UV lighting, sand,...yada yada. I am horrified about heat rocks so I figured a 100w ceramic heat emitter would be good. They were out of the zoo med porcelain clamp lamps. And the box it says that using anything other than their lamp will void the warranty. I knew I had a spare 10" Fluker's clamp-lamp sitting unopened at home. .It does say on the box that the lamp is for both incandescent bulbs and ceramic heat emitters. So that gives me some relief...but I always used the zoomed ceramic bulbs with the zoomed porcelain lamp which I have on my BP's setup. I grew even more concerned when I went to screw the bulb in and it just doesn't feel right like it's a little off. Does anyone have any experience with using zoo med's cermic infrared heat emitter (100w) with a 10" Fluker's Clamp Lamp? It does have a porcelain screw in. I appreciate the feedback.

[Homegrownscales]

If the ceramic feels loose... It's defective. If you do use it it will most like work but you'll be buying a
New one in a few months.
Make sure he has a basking site at 100.f. That and the UVB is the most important.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[The Serpent Merchant]

The clamp lamps are practically identical. As long as the socket is not made out of plastic and the clamp lamp is rated for 100 watts you should be fine.

[kitedemon]

I have found that the socket actually loosens (it is 2 parts that screw together) and it feels wonky but the CHE and socket are wiggling to the reflector. If the CHE is wiggling and not the socket it needs to be replaced.

[Hoolym]

I went to Petco and got all the essentials (a 55 gal tank (poor guy has been cooped up in a 20g), some UV lighting, sand,...yada yada.

Skip the sand! Or any subtrate. These guys are really prone to impaction without adding sand to their gut. You can use newspaper, paper towel or my personal favorite, non-adhesive shelf liner http://www.amazon.com/Duck-855083-No...7977018&sr=1-7 You can find this at most Walmarts. It's cheap, easy to cut to size & cleans up easily. Poop can be picked/wiped up with a paper towel and then switch out the liner every week or two for cleaning. The dirty liner can be washed in a bucket or in the washing machine if you aren't squeamish.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Skip the sand! Or any subtrate. These guys are really prone to impaction without adding sand to their gut. You can use newspaper, paper towel or my personal favorite, non-adhesive shelf liner http://www.amazon.com/Duck-855083-No...7977018&sr=1-7 You can find this at most Walmarts. It's cheap, easy to cut to size & cleans up easily. Poop can be picked/wiped up with a paper towel and then switch out the liner every week or two for cleaning. The dirty liner can be washed in a bucket or in the washing machine if you aren't squeamish.

x2 I have mine on paper towels

[Kamille Kirkendoll]

x3 on sand being a no-no. In fact, it's a HUGE no-no in the reptile world, especially with Beardies. It causes impaction, which can (and usually is) fatal to reptiles.

Try newspaper, tiles, or a Reptile Carpet. We have used all 3, love em all, but currently, Aaliyah has tiles which have the best visual value.

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/a...earded-dragon/
LLLReptile has pretty good caresheets, but I would read as many as I could to verify information and get more opinions. Also, a book always comes in handy.

A Beardie Nutrition bible is: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html (There is not ONE person I know who's serious about Beardie care that doesn't reference this site.)

Good luck on your Beardie. They're somewhat high maintenance pets, but very rewarding.

[Godiva]

Hi guys. I wanted to thank you all for your suggestions. No sand is a go! I read somewhere during my research that is what you use on beardies. Don't believe everything you read and triple check sources is the lesson. When you all mentioned impaction I palmfaced myself. I got a couple of xlarge zilla green terrarium liners, split them in half for easier cleaning just like I do with my BP and he seems very very happy with his kale and carrot shavings and his newer warmer home.

Thank you all.

[samgoody9]

to much kale is bad it has a calcium binde in it

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

The best greens to feed are turnip, mustard, and collard. If you read the stats on them, they are naturally high in calcium. Kale is perfectly fine also..

Anything that is high in oxalates should not be given. Oxalates are what blocks the bodies ability to absorb calcium..

http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?dbid=48&tname=george

" Foods that contain oxalates:

The following are some examples of the most common sources of oxalates, arranged by food group. It is important to note that the leaves of a plant almost always contain higher oxalate levels than the roots, stems, and stalks.

Fruits:
blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, currants, kiwifruit, concord (purple) grapes, figs, tangerines, and plums.

Vegetables:
spinach, Swiss chard, beet greens, collards, okra, parsley, leeks and quinoa are among the most oxalate-dense vegetables.
celery, green beans, rutabagas, and summer squash would be considered moderately dense in oxalates."